As Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen, the demand for respiratory drugs has surged, with Foracort emerging as India’s best-selling medicine in October. The inhaler, used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), achieved Rs 75 crore in sales, surpassing well-known medications like the antibiotic Augmentin (Rs 73 crore) and the antidiabetic Glycomet-GP (Rs 69 crore), according to data from market research firm IQVIA.

Manufactured by Cipla, Foracort combines budesonide, a corticosteroid that reduces airway inflammation, and formoterol fumarate, a bronchodilator that helps widen airways. Its dual-action therapy has proven effective in managing symptoms, reducing hospital visits, and providing relief for those with respiratory conditions.

Other respiratory drugs, such as Duolin and Budecort, also saw a rise in sales, reaching Rs 48 crore and Rs 43 crore, respectively, and entering the top 20 medicines chart.

The increase in demand correlates with deteriorating air quality in northern India. In October, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 364, and in November, AQI levels exceeded 500, triggering severe health issues for individuals with asthma and COPD. Even for healthy individuals, the polluted air led to flu-like symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

A report from The Lancet attributed 16 lakh deaths in India in 2021 to air pollution, with fossil fuels contributing to 38% of these fatalities. A 2024 Lancet study found that 7.2% of daily deaths were linked to PM 2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines.

As toxic smog continues to blanket cities, the rise of respiratory drugs like Foracort highlights the urgent need for both immediate healthcare solutions and long-term strategies to tackle air pollution.